International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is rolling out a new investment agency designed to promote Canada as a destination for investors.

He has named two top businessmen to run it.

He says Invest in Canada will be led by Mitch Garber as board chair and Ian McKay as CEO.

Garber is a business executive and philanthropist who is a co-investor and chairperson of Cirque du Soleil.

McKay is a businessman and a former political adviser to federal Liberal cabinet ministers.

Champagne says Invest in Canada and its dedicated team of trade commissioners will help investors navigate the ins and outs of investing here.

The federal government has earmarked $218 million over five years for the agency.

While the new body will be based in Ottawa, Champagne said it will work across the country.

"We are going after investment and that means we need to be represented from coast to coast to coast," the minister said "To that end, I will work with senior leadership to determine locations for these regional offices."

Champagne says he considers himself to be Canada's chief marketing officer, a sort of salesperson in chief.

"It is my job to create the opportunities for more Canadians to get into the export game."